Russia to continue to protect assets abroad, including from Yukos claims - Peskov
MOSCOW. Oct 29 (Interfax) - Russia will take measures to protect its assets abroad, including the stake of VGTRK Holding in Euronews seized under the claim filed by Yukos shareholders, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov has said.
"The Kremlin is aware of this [the stake seizure]. Legal efforts are being taken to protect lawful interests of Russia and its property," Peskov told reporters in an interview.
As to preventive measures aimed at protecting property, Peskov said, "Indeed, every measure necessary to protect the interests of the Russian Federation is being taken and will be taken."
The VGTRK stake in the Euronews television channel has been seized abroad under the claims filed by former Yukos shareholders.
"We confirm this information but decline a detailed comment," a source in the VGTRK press service told Interfax.
The seizure of the 7.5% stake of VGTRK in the Euronews European news channel was reported by RBC on Thursday. The media outlet said with reference to an anonymous Russian federal official that "assets seized abroad under the claims filed by former Yukos shareholders included the VGTRK stake in French Euronews SA, operating the television channel of the same name."
The holding said that the stake seizure had no effect on operations of either Euronews or VGTRK.
VGTRK became a Euronews shareholder in 2001. A special unit of the holding, the European Broadcasting Company, distributes Euronews programs in Russia.
